ask dr-robert

Hi, Dr. Saltzman,

I find your website captivating, wonderfully Refreshing, with common sense (a sense I Find rare!).

LOVE what you had to say about "religion."

I invite you to read my website: www.churchabusepoetrytherapy.com (faith-based poems of anguish, healing, hope and comfort poured from my wounded soul, upon being voted out of a 31-year church membership, because I got a divorce after 31 years of abuse.

I fought the spiritually abusive system (a term I'd not heard, until my "angel-in-disguise" therapist [expert in spiritual abuse] explained what was happening) for 18 months, to try and stop the pastor from "counseling" any more women, because 2 of them wanted to commit suicide because of his "counseling" skills.

In the end, my name was put up on a big screen in front of the congregation, followed by the words "Conduct Unbecoming A Child of God."

I've always been able to make something positive/beautiful come from the ashes of a lifetime of abuse [except for 3 years in the army].

I believe we are all here for a purpose, and that is to make a difference; I do this by counseling the abused (no degree, but a lifetime of experience and extensive research has made me an "expert" in verbal abuse (Usually ALL abuse begins with the verbal). I've been working like a Trojan for the past 10 years, attempting to get the message "out there" regarding verbal abuse.

It took me 25 years to find the book which I believe should be required reading for everyone on the planet: The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans.

Elie Wiesel has written to me regarding my poems (how honored and humbling that is).

I've written my memoir: Ghost Child to Triumph (from a child with no voice, to someone who speaks up against injustice), and have a publisher interested; will self-publish, if necessary.

Thank you so kindly for "hearing' my story. I'd be honored if you read my story (psychiatricjournal.com, etc.), and looked at my poetry website.

Thank you! An admirer, Alice

(Overcomer and wounded-healer)

P.S. Without my resilience, faith, wicked wit and sense of humor, I might be drooling in a corner somewhere!



Dear Alice--

Thanks for your kind words, and I am glad you enjoy my website. Although you have not presented me with a question, I am publishing your letter here on the site so that others can read it and visit your website.

Be well.